Derry bridge to be named for fallen Marine

DERRY — Town Councilors voted Tuesday night to name a bridge on Route 102 after a fallen Marine and Pinkerton Academy graduate who was killed in combat in Afghanistan.

Councilors voted unanimously to name the bridge, just west of the Marion Gerish Community Center, in honor of Lance Cpl. Michael Geary. He was killed in combat on Dec. 8, 2010, while on patrol in Helmand province, Afghanistan. Geary was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Geary grew up in Derry and graduated from Pinkerton Academy in 2009.

.“Michael Geary was truly an American hero, and he certainly deserves recognition,” said Councilor Phyllis Katsakiores.

A motion was made and then approved to name the bridge the Lance Cpl. Michael E. Geary Bridge...After Geary’s death, state Rep. John O’Connor read a eulogy at the State House in Concord, with Geary’s family honored as welcomed guests.

While he was still in high school, Geary longed to join the Marines, O’Connor said in the eulogy. He even wrote his senior essay on the topic of “what it takes to become a Marine and the honor of being a Marine,” O’Connor said.During his service in Afghanistan, Geary “never shied away from his infantry role on the front lines,” O’Connor said. “He would volunteer to take the point so those with family wouldn’t have to.”..Upon completion of his Marine duty, Michael had planned to become a police officer.

Since the bridge is municipally owned with Derry’s urban compact, the council has the authority to approve the dedication request, according to an opinion by the Municipal Association...The Veterans of Foreign Wars has offered to cover the cost of two signs for the project, and the Derry Department of Public Works will install them...